A rip in your clothing can happen anywhere — including at work, on vacation, or while camping. This is where a travel sewing kit can come to your rescue. Even if you’ve never so much as laid a hand on a sewing machine, a simple hole repair by hand is relatively straightforward to learn.
These compact kits can fit into any travel bag or backpack pocket. Because they consume so little space, it’s wise to keep one at your disposal for stitching buttons, repairing tears, or even getting creative.
Things To Consider When Buying a Travel Sewing Kit
Every travel sewing kit comes in a compact package and includes standard items like needles and thread. However, some sets are simply better-equipped than others or include a better way of packaging and organizing the items.
When you are looking for a lightweight and well-packed sewing kit, don’t forget to take into consideration the number of items included, such as marking pens and measuring tape for precise repairs. Here are the most important factors to consider when deciding on a travel sewing kit.
Repair Kit Items
If you want to be able to do more than just repair a small tear, you will need buttons, snaps, and zippers. This will allow you the versatility to replace detached buttons and stuck zippers.
Hot Tip: You will also need a seam ripper and a measuring tape to effectively repair other forms of damage.
Tucked Items
Size isn’t the only packaging concern when it comes to travel sewing kits, as tangled and mixed-up items can render the kit nearly unusable. Having a place for everything is especially important if you are a beginner at sewing.
A proper sewing kit box with individual compartments or tucked-in items will serve you well. This setup will enable you to quickly find whatever you need from the box and be able to repair your clothes in an organized way.
Weight
Even a sewing kit with most items included can come in under 1 ounce. Most of the items in the kit are lightweight, so having plentiful thread, needles, and pins can only be a good thing.
They won’t weigh down your luggage, and you will be completely prepared when the time comes for repairs.
The 5 Best Travel Sewing Kits
Now that you know what to look for in a travel sewing kit, it’s time to go into further detail about the best options. All of the recommended kits feature compact boxes for carrying, lightweight sewing items, and proper organization.
1. Lightweight Sewing Kit for Travel
Singer 1 KIT Multicolor Transcendent Sewing Kit
The best compact sewing kit for travel is Singer’s multicolor kit, a practical set for several reasons. The transparent box shows all the items inside, and you can easily find whatever you might need for sewing and repairs.
Moreover, the box is quite small and fits into any storage space, weighing in at 0.8 ounces. You will get a 2-inch measuring tape, scissors, buttons, a needle threader, and several needles. With zippers of different sizes and replacement buttons in case one of yours falls off, this set has got you covered.
The compact design lets you pack this small sewing box wherever you please in your luggage or travel backpack. It’s a great option to keep on hand for small repairs, though you might require more items for larger tears.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
- Colored threads are not secured in place
2. Ultimate 68-Piece Sewing Box for Travel
Coquimbo Sewing Kit for Traveler Emergency DIY Pack
If you want a complete sewing kit with all the items you will ever need, Coquimbo’s emergency sewing pack is your best bet. It comes with 68 sewing pieces, including some items that you wouldn’t think to carry, but that can really come in handy.
On top of that, you get a sewing kit box with tucked items and a place for every item in the package, making it much easier to find and retrieve exactly what you need from the box. With 14 different colored threads, you can patch up any tear inconspicuously.
You also get measuring tape, scissors, zippers, sewing needles of various sizes, needle threaders, and safety pins. As you might expect, there are also several spare buttons, and everything is in a highly organized zip-up package.
What We Like
- Perfect sewing-item organization
What We Don’t Like
- Might have too many items for simple repairs
3. Small Survival Sewing Kit
Singer 01511 Survival Sew Kit
Unlike Singer’s 1 KIT that we already discussed, this survival sewing kit is a bit more robust. It weighs a bit over 6 ounces, but it’s all due to the separate compartments for every sewing piece.
The box is 7 inches long and 3 inches wide, so it still fits into most backpack pockets and luggage spaces. It contains over 60 pieces, which is surprising given its appearance, but the number of items is a testament to its organization.
You will find scissors, marking pens, tape strips, glue, adhesive tape, colored threads, and pins among the sewing equipment. You can even find a distinctive selection of 15 shirt buttons, which is a nice addition if you need a specific button type.
What We Like
- Compact-looking kit with over 60 items
What We Don’t Like
- Has compartments but lacks tucked items
4. Lightweight Design and Lots of Sewing Pieces
Marcoon Sewing Kit DIY Sewing Supplies
Marcoon’s complete sewing set comes in a compact 5 x 5-inch size. It weighs a bit less than 4 ounces, which speaks to an impressive blend of functionality and lightweight design.
This kit has over 60 sewing elements, some of which come in unexpectedly handy while traveling. For instance, you get thimbles, a seam ripper, plastic needle threaders, and pearl pins in this box. You can rest assured that all the ordinary components are also there, including scissors, needles, buttons, and threads.
The scissors are high-quality stainless steel made to last you for years to come, and the box comes with tucked compartments for every item so you can stay organized.
What We Like
- Complete lightweight sewing set
What We Don’t Like
5. Simple Sewing Kit in a Pack of 10
SoFire 10 Boxes Home and Travel Quick fix Sewing Kit
If you are prone to misplacing your sewing kit while traveling, you might want to consider keeping back-ups on hand. SoFire’s set of 10 minimalist kits includes the items you need to tackle simple repairs, except for scissors.
Each box contains 10 colored threads, sewing needles, a few buttons, and a safety pin. It makes a great compact option, weighing in at only 0.6 ounces per box.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a simple, small-size sewing kit with just the essentials or a larger pack with 60 or more items, this list has you covered. You can even find a perfect blend of the 2 with some options that are both lightweight and well-equipped.
SoFire’s 10-box set can be a great choice if you want to have a vast number of separate minimalist kits. On the other hand, if you want all the items you could need neatly tucked in a compact box, you can go with the ultimate Coquimbo set.
